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(No Model.)

G. W. SGOVILL. SAFETY ENVELOPE.

No. 473,431. Patented Apr. 19, 1892.

Jay.

UNITED STATES PATENT j OFFICE.

GEORGE \V. SCOVILL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WARREN T. THOMSON, OF SAME PLACE.

SAFETY-ENVELO PE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 473,431, dated April 19, 1892.

Application filed November 23, 1891. Serial No. 412,804. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. SoovILL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Safety-Envelope, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, that will enable others to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming-a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a view in perspective of an envelope, showing the clasp or fastener in position for use; Fig. 2, a transverse section, the envelope being closed,the clasp, however, not being flattened into a locking position. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the clasp flattened into a locking position, the parts of the envelope being indicated in dotted lines; and Fig. 4 a view of the clasp in perspective.

This invention relates to improvements in fastening devices for envelopes or the like, and has for its object to provide a device whereby the closing-flaps of an envelope may be sealed in such a manner as to prevent the same from being tampered with or opened without irreparable injury to the structure, as will be hereinafter set forth.

Referring to the drawings, A represents an envelope consisting of the front side a, the closing-flaps a a and the intermediate part a forming a pocket a between said part and the front side.

The clasp B is composed of a single piece of metal made into the form shown in Fig. 4. One end of the clasp is bifurcated, providing the tines b b, which are pointed, so as to be easily inserted through the loops 1) 1), formed in the part a of the envelope, by which means the clasp is retained in position ready for use. At the junction of the tines a cut-out part is turned upwardly and back to form the sharp-pointed clamping-hook 27 The opposite end b of the clasp is bent over upon to go forward in the direction of the hook 19 instead of backward.

The device is shown in position for use in Fig. 1. To close or seal the letter, the flap a is folded over. The sealing-flap a is next folded over and the tongue d is inserted through the slit 9 in the flap a, the tongue part passing over the hook and underneath the turnedover part of the clasp, as shown in Fig. 2. In this position a slight pressure of the thumb on the inclined surface cl will force the same down flatly with an inward movement, which causes the hook-point to puncture and pass through the tongue part of the sealing-flap, then finally flattening down the hook part, Fig. 3, securely looking all the parts together, so that the sealing-flap cannot be separated without tearing the material of the envelope.

The clasp will be made of very thin metal, so that it is easily pressed down and flattened into a locking position by a slight pressure of the thumb or finger.

It will be observed that when the=envelope is closed the clasp is entirely concealed from view.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is-

1. A safety-clasp for envelopes, composed of a single piece and comprising a bifurcated end and a hook projection formed at the base of the forked part, the opposite end being bent over in the direction of the hook part and having an inclined surface, as described, and for the purpose set forth;

2. The combination, with an envelope provided with loops in a part thereof and having one of the closing-flaps provided with a slitand the other with a tongue adapted to enter said slit, of alocking-clasp having tines on one end, which are inserted through said loops, a hook projection, and the bent-over end, whereby the part of the sealing-flap passing under said bent-over end is punctured by the hook part when the locking parts of the clasp are pressed together, substantially'as set forth. 7

GEORGE \VsSQOVILL.

Vitnesses: L. M. FREEMAN,

J. B. DONALSON. 

